• We are suggesting Guajimico and Playa Giron, because they are among the best diving spots in the West of Cuba and they're not too far from Varadero (no more than 2-3 hours at the most).

Are they certified by or affiliated to any diving agency such as SSI or ACUC?

• Diving instructors are certificated SSI, ACUC, CMAS and ESA (European Diving Federation), not the centres.

Some of us will bring our own equipment but most will need to use rental equipment. How new is the equipment available and what condition is it in?

• In Guajimico they have brand new equipment SCUBAPRO, it's been used less than 2 months. The tanks they use is made of steel. At Playa Giron they have MARES equipment. It is not as good as in Guajimico but still in good conditions, according to international standards.

What are the qualification of the Instructors or Dive Marshals who will be with us during diving?

• All their diving instructors, both Guajimico and Playa Giron, have more than 4-10 years of experience working as instructors.

Do they have good levels of experience or are they more local dive guides (Dive Coms)?

• They are used to deal with both amateur and professional divers.

Will there be full briefs before each dive and a high standard of marshalling?

• Yes, this is what they usually do with their clients.

Will O2 kits (oxygen) be available at all times during diving?

• They have enough O2 kits for diving (more than 45 tanks at Guajimico and more than 25 at Playa Giron) and also they have the compressors BAUER to fill the tanks once they are used.

Are there any more advanced or difficult dives proposed? If so, can we have details?

• No.

Are the centres able to cater for different experience levels of diver who may be on the trip?

• It might be desirable to split the party into junior and more advanced divers at times.

Would that be possible?

• Yes, they can even offer beginner courses and take the divers to different spots according to their training and skills. It is possible to split the group according to their needs and skills and each group would have a dive instructor.

Will all dive boats used be licensed (if necessary) and skippered by a qualified coxswain?

• Yes, all their boats are certificated, in perfect conditions and experienced coxswains.

Are ship-to-shore radios used if a dive boat is going some way off-shore from the dive centre?

• Yes, all the boats have radio to keep communication with the dive centre. At Playa Giron we'll dive off shore, so we don't need any boat.

Do they properly check diver qualifications and recent dive history before diving commences?

• Yes, they always check the qualification of the diver and it's also possible for the divers to check the dive history of their dive instructors.

What medical requirements or declarations are in place?

• Every diver must take a medical certification stating he is capable to dive also divers ask for any special ailing to be taken into consideration.

I'd like to see a "shake-down" or less demanding assessment dive at the beginning of the trip, so we can see how good those on the party really are. Is that possible?

• Yes, it can be arranged upon arrival.

Are there any other safety factors that we should know about, please?

• Both diving centres are ready for emergencies, first aids kit and helicopter runways.
• Any other feature would be informed on spot.